Calendar:
Sunday, October 15 - Tuesday, October 17
N. C. League of Municipalities Conference, Greensboro, NC
Wednesday, October 18
3:30 pm - Economic Development and Planning Committee Meeting, Room 266. AGENDA: Small Business Opportunities Program; Update on Business Corridor Revitalization Project
5:00 pm - Zoning Dinner, Room CH-14
6:00 pm - Zoning Meeting, Meeting Chamber
Thursday, October 19
12:00 pm - Restructuring Government Committee Meeting, Room 280. AGENDA: Budget Process; Format for the New Government Channel Program
Friday, October 20
12:00 pm - Housing and Neighborhood Development Committee Meeting, Room CH-14. AGENDA: (The Agenda Will Be Distributed Before The Meeting)
Information Items:
Central Yard Relocation Study - Update
Staff Resource: Julie Burch, 704-336-3187 - jburch@ci.charlotte.nc.us
At the September 5 workshop, the Council directed the City Manager to study moving the Central Yard from Belmont to a site at the Airport. The study is underway and staff anticipates the results being ready to report to the Council by the end of November.
The time frame is in part driven by the time necessary to obtain an independent appraisal of the Central Yard property. The Central Yard encompasses six tax parcels of approximately 26.2 acres and 10 buildings. The cost of the appraisal will be $ 3,750.
The study will include estimated capital costs for land acquisition and construction of replicated Central Yard facilities at the airport along with all related annual operating costs. A second scenario of relocating the existing facilities with an allowance for expansion for future growth will also be provided.
2007 Annexation Public Hearing
Staff Resources:
Jonathan Wells, 704-336-4090 - jwells@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Bill Parks, 704-336-5015 - wparks@ci.charlotte.nc.us
During the Public Hearings on the 2007Annexation qualifying areas held at the October 9, 2006 Regular Business Meeting, City Council asked staff to provide a comparison between estimated revenues from previous annexations and actual revenues realized following those annexations. Planning and Budget staff, with assistance from staff in Finance and CDOT, and from the County Tax Office, are examining actual revenues received from areas annexed on June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2005 to compare these revenues against the revenue projections contained in the annexation service plans prepared prior to the annexation of those areas. Once the data required for this comparison is collected and organized, a report will be prepared and furnished to City Council.
Summary of Visit with Rating Agencies
Staff Resource: Greg Gaskins, 704-336-5885 - ggaskins@ci.charlotte.nc.us
On September 21 and 22 the City Manager, the Director of Finance, and key members of his staff visited Standard and Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch Rating Agencies in New York City to discuss future bond issues and financial conditions. A presentation was given to each agency, covering a variety of topics, including the tax increase for operating and infrastructure needs. An impressive report on the flourishing housing market in uptown drew much attention and praise. Storm Water Bonds received a more comprehensive presentation, as they were the next debt issue to be rated. All agencies were impressed with the financial progress of the enterprise. After the presentation Standard and Poor's elevated Storm Water's rating from AA+ to AAA. Moody's remained consistent with their rating of AA2.
Notice of Claims to Parsons Transportation Group
Staff Resource: Mac McCarley, 704-336-4112 - dmccarley@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Under the terms of our contract with Parsons Transportation Group (PTG) for final design of the South Corridor Light Rail Project, the City is required to give notice of their design errors and omissions and other failures. A copy of our notice letter to them is attached.
As indicated in the letter, PTG was hired to design all of the elements of the light rail system. PTG was obligated to provide a design of the highest quality as well as provide bid support and other project coordination.
The failures in their work identified to date are outlined in the attached letter. Generally, those failures may be categorized as:
(a) defective design work, resulting in incomplete, inaccurate or unreliable designs;
(b) design conflicts, resulting in a lack of coordination and/or integration in the construction and scheduling of various project elements; and
(c) inadequate and incomplete project support, resulting in unreliable cost estimates, bid assistance and billings for services.
The list outlined in the notice is not final. We are continuing to compile a more comprehensive list of known defects using a claims analysis team composed of attorneys, CATS staff, Engineering and Property Management staff and outside consultants with expertise in constructions claims.
As stated in the letter, we believe PTG is liable for any reasonable costs the City may incur to correct, modify or redesign project elements due to their negligence or errors and omissions. Furthermore, we believe PTG is required to indemnify (hold the City harmless) for any claims for damages brought against the City by contractors on the job claiming delay damages because of PTG's negligence or errors and omissions.
Again, the list of costs incurred by the City outlined in the attachment is not final. The claims analysis team will quantify costs of PTG's failures to the City as a part of their work effort.
Finally, as is common in situations such as this, we are inviting PTG to discuss the possibilities of resolving the City claims without the need to file a formal lawsuit. We are also asking PTG to enter into a tolling agreement (an agreement to postpone any need for the City to file a lawsuit to preserve our rights) pending any discussions or other alternative dispute resolution arrangements we may agree to pursue.
I will provide ongoing updates to Council on the continuing work of the claims analysis team or discussions with PTG.
District 4 Quality Neighborhood Meetings
Staff Resource: Stanley Watkins, 704-336-3796 - swatkins@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Council member Barnes hosted a series of Quality Neighborhood Meetings throughout District 4, during the months of February through May 2006. The purpose of these meetings was to listen to citizens' concerns about their neighborhoods. During these meetings, City staff addressed a variety of subjects including Community Safety, Transportation, Transit, Planning, Housing, Code Enforcement and Section 8.
Attached is a Follow Up Report that is being sent to citizens that attended the quality neighborhood meetings. This is a document that categorizes and summarizes the key issues discussed during the meetings. This document has been updated to reflect any City Council actions or new information since the May meeting, including City Council's adoption of the FY07 Budget.
Brevard Corridor Planning Study Public Meeting
Staff Resource: Todd Thorne, 704-353-0993 - tthorne@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The second of three public meetings to plan the future development in the Brevard Corridor between the Arena and the future NASCAR Hall of Fame will be held at 6:00 pm, Thursday, October 19, in Room 267 of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. Attached is additional information. Council members are invited to attend.
Cultivating Creative Communities Conference
Staff Resource: Dennis Marstall, 704-336-3980 - dmarstall@ci.charlotte.nc.us
Charlotte will serve as the host city for the Cultivating Creative Communities Conference October 24 - 27, 2006 to be held at the Marriott Center City Hotel. The focus of the conference is to bring civic and community leaders together to explore how cities are planning for sustainability and livability. The four themes of the conference include Amenities, Creativity, Equity, and Sustainability and will include many well-known speakers and panelists, including many Charlotte presenters. The conference program book is attached.
The lead organization for the Conference is Partners for Livable Communities, out of Washington, DC and includes many local sponsors. The City is a sponsor, through a contribution from the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. If any Council members would like to attend the conference, please contact Dennis Marstall.
